Himachal Pradesh Sukh Ashraya (Care, Protection and Self Reliance of Children) Bill, 2023

April 8, 2023

The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sing Sukhu recently announced the launch of the Sukh-Ashraya Yojana, a scheme that aims to provide better life and education opportunities to orphans and destitute children in the state. This initiative addresses a long-neglected issue of caring for children who are deprived and needy. The state government has initiated the scheme, which has now been given a legal shape during the budget session via the Himachal Pradesh Sukh-Ashraya (Care, Protection and Self-Reliance of Children) Bill, 2023.

Sukh-Ashraya Yojana’s Objective

The main objective of the Sukh-Ashraya Yojana is to provide proper care, protection, development, and self-reliance to orphans, semi-orphans, and specially-abled children in need. The scheme is designed to help these children reintegrate into the mainstream of society and not be dependent on the mercy of society.

Children of the State

The Himachal Pradesh Sukh-Ashraya (Care, Protection and Self-Reliance of Children) Bill, 2023, makes the destitute children the responsibility of the state government. 6,000 destitute children of the state have been adopted as “Children of the State.” These children would now be supported by the government to become self-reliant. The state government will take steps to nurture these children as guardians and help them reintegrate into the mainstream of society.

Provisions of the Sukh-Ashraya Bill

The Sukh-Ashraya Bill will provide clothing allowance and festival allowance to the children living in the Child Care and After Care Institutions. Also, the state government will open and contribute to recurring deposit accounts for these children. These children would be given the opportunity for yearly exposure visits within and outside the state.

The state government will be providing shelter, food, clothing, etc. till the age of 27 years along with higher education, vocational training, skill development, and coaching facilities. Apart from stipends to meet their personal expenses, the government will also provide them with financial assistance to establish their own start-ups. The bill also has a provision for three Biswas land allotments and housing grants to landless orphans.

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